Man sent down for four months affter gardaí attack

A man charged with five counts of assault against four gardaí and with a hit and run was sentenced to a total of four months in jail when he appeared at Galway District Court last week.

Polish-born Bartlomiej Brzezinski (32 ) with an address at 34 Sceilg Ard, Headford Road, but formerly of 3 Sandy Drive, Riverside, appeared before Judge Aeneus McCarthy last Monday for the assault of Garda David Costello at Eglinton Street and at Galway Garda Station on October 10, 2007, and for the assaults on Garda Mark Caffrey, Garda Sean Kelly, and Garda Marcus Flynn on the same date at Galway Garda Station. There were also offences for being intoxicated in a public place, and threatening and abusive behaviour at Eddie Rockets, Eglinton Street, on October 9, 2007, and with hit and run at Seaman Drive, Riverside, on July 27, 2007.

Inspector Pat McHugh told the court that on October 9 Garda Costello and Garda Caffrey were on duty at Eglinton Street when they came across two males, including the defendant, intoxicated and causing trouble. When the gardaí asked for a name the defendant grabbed Garda Costello by the hand “bending back his fingers”. The defendant, who was in an aggressive state, was brought to the Garda Station but when he was being put in his cell he “kicked out at Garda Costello” hitting him in the chest and “punched him a number of times in the head”. Another garda was also kicked. The Inspector said that Garda Caffrey received a “punch to the face” when he attempted to restrain the defendant.

For the assault of Garda Costello Judge McCarthy imposed a four month sentence. Further concurrent four month sentences were imposed on each of the assaults on Garda Caffrey, Garda Kelly, and Garda Flynn. For the hit and run he convicted and fined the defendant €400 with two months to pay. The other charges were taken into consideration.